Spatiotemporal air quality monitoring using Sentinel 5P in the arid region for environmental sustainability

The extensive industrialization, rapid urbanization, and strong fossil fuel use in the Middle East (ME) significantly contribute to increasing air pollution levels. Gas and oil production are the main sources of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), methane (CH₄), ozone (O₃), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde (HCHO) in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait. Current progress in satellite remote sensing (RS) has enabled record valuations of the air pollution across country borders, helping data-driven policymaking and regional assistance in handling air quality (AQ). Therefore, this study examines monthly and annual air pollutants and aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the ME from 2019 to 2024 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Sentinel-5P images. The study specifies that highest AOD decreased from 0.5360 in 2019 to 0.5277 in 2024, while further air pollutants varies annually, such as SO₂ (0.0014 mol/m² in 2019 to 0.0027 mol/m² in 2024), CO (0.117 mol/m² in 2019 to 0.171 mol/m² in 2024), O₃ (0.146 mol/m² in 2019 to 0.155 mol/m² in 2024), and CH₄ (2304.23 ppb in 2019 to 2457.17 ppb in 2024). In ME countries where CH₄ emissions from fossil fuel processes are dominant (like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq), measured stages often surpass 1900 ppb. Although CO and HCHO trends propose minor improvements, recurrent SO₂ spikes exemplify the tenacity of high-impact emission procedures. These outlines highlight the necessity for stronger regional air pollution monitoring and mitigation plans, reflecting AQ dynamics in key ME cities.